Sunset Boulevard-ON HOLD

Chapter 5- Practice

 

My mind was full of never ending thoughts and ideas as I stepped of the plane, into the warm, humid Los Angeles, California. Even at 5:30 in the morning, the temperature was already rising. Today would be the day that I stepped onto the ice with the rest of my teammates for the first time since rookie training camp.

 

My heart was fluttering and my stomach was full of butterflies. I found it funny that the one thing that I was the most nervous about, was would I be able to hold on to my number that I had worn since I was a little kid.

 

I laughed to myself as I knew that I was stupid for worrying about something so simple as number, as that would be the least of my concerns. I know Coach Sutter had already made the phone call and told me that I wouldn't be reassigned to Manchester, but I still wanted to prove to the rest of my teammates, the entire coaching staff, and the rest of upper management, that I belonged here in Los Angeles and they made the right choice in not only leaving me on the Kings squad, but drafting me in general. 

 

Ever since I had been drafted it had been all over NBCSports, NHLNetwork, and even ESPN had talked about how I was such a risky player to draft with my list of injuries and medical history and that at most, I'd be nothing more than a glorified fourth liner.

 

And then my mind shifted to her. Mallory had left the day before to Colorado without saying a goodbye or even sending a text. Part of me was a little hurt that she had left without bothering to tell me herself that she made it on a NHL team, but at the same time I couldn't be more elated for her.

 

Ever since we were little kids skating on the ponds around town, it had always been our dream to play in the NHL and it seemed as if we were finally  getting to live out our dreams.

 

As the taxi pulled into the Staples Center parking lot my heart instantly lept into my throat and my breath was taken away.

 

After paying the driver, grabbing my hockey bag, and collecting my breath, I made my way towards the players entrance. Practice didn't start for another two and a half hours, but I wanted to get my legs under me as I hadn't skated in a few weeks. As I reached the door I noticed that it was locked and I heard a voice speak up from behind me.

 

"And what do you think you're doing sir?"

 

I hadn't even been formally introduced to the rest of the team and I was already causing trouble. "Um, my name is Karson. Karson Blake. I'm the Kings' first round draft pick this year."

 

I turned around to a laughing Dustin Brown, "I know who you are kid, I'm just fucking with you. But really, what are you doing here so early? Practice doesn't start until 8:00."

 

I chuckled at Brownie's toothless grin and folded my arms, "I guess I could ask you the same thing Captain. Honestly, I wanted to get some work in. Practice a bit, and get my legs back under me. You know, first one in, last one out kind of thing?"

 

"We're gonna get a long just fine kid. I like that; in fact, after looking at some of your tapes and talking to your other coaches about your work ethic, I already volunteered to be your team mentor and you'll be staying at my house during the season and if you ever have any questions you can come to me."